taunt 1 of 2

taunt

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word taunt distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of taunt are deride, mock, and ridicule. While all these words mean "to make an object of laughter of," taunt suggests jeeringly provoking insult or challenge.

hometown fans taunted the visiting team

When could deride be used to replace taunt?

The words deride and taunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deride suggests contemptuous and often bitter ridicule.

derided their efforts to start their own business

When would mock be a good substitute for taunt?

Although the words mock and taunt have much in common, mock implies scorn often ironically expressed as by mimicry or sham deference.

youngsters began to mock the helpless wino

In what contexts can ridicule take the place of taunt?

The synonyms ridicule and taunt are sometimes interchangeable, but ridicule implies a deliberate often malicious belittling.

consistently ridiculed everything she said

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of taunt
Verb
The group taunts victims through sarcastic remarks and public announcements. Etay Maor, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 While politics and sports don't always overlap, for the superstitious, there's a curious pattern: Trump taunts allies, and U.S. teams keep losing to them. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
The Hill suggested that their friendship isn’t likely to end soon, even though Trump has supposedly complained in private about taunts suggesting that Musk is really the president or somehow pulling the strings, The Independent reported. Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025 Not to play games and not to engage in schoolyard taunts. Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for taunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taunt
Verb
  • Along with Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters and Gillian Anderson’s characters are teased in the minute-and-a-half-long trailer, which also features a voice appearance from Bridges.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The monkeys did it Since the very first episode, people online have been speculating that the monkeys often seen in ambient shots of Thailand’s nature are to blame for the ultimate shootout teased in this season’s opening scene.
    Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But the prevailing mood was one of futility and there were ironic jeers from the Forest fans when Garnacho booted the ball high into the Bridgford Stand 18 minutes from time.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
  • When fans last gathered here, late in September, there were jeers and boos while the Sox improbably swept the Angels in a three-game series.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Now mock drafts expect the Seahawks will try to improve their offensive line or add another wide receiver for Darnold.
    Jim Sergent, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
  • And my wife would probably mock me for not getting meat, or something else.
    Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Despite the show's ruminations revolving around Dorian's ego, there is no vanity in this performance where Snook sweats, sneers, and dashes across stage.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • One is Giovanni Battista Moroni’s Portrait of a Woman (ca. 1575), in which a leery-eyed woman stares down at her viewer, pressing her lips into the faintest of sneers.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In a workplace that’s increasingly remote, fast-paced, independent and ever-changing, these aren’t insults.
    Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Recent White House comments and insults directed at NATO allies – as well as the military alliance itself – have raised alarm and confusion.
    Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But with Let's Sprinkle by MG, Gorga is having the last laugh at a decades-old diss.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • This turns into a diss against Jost, whose wife’s income dwarfs his own, without actually namedropping Scarlett Johansson.
    Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The contrary argument is that stronger presidential oversight gibes with American constitutional principles and would ensure greater political accountability to the voters for all of an administration’s initiatives.
    Alden Abbott, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • But even some Republicans weren’t happy with the nasty gibe.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • By February 2025, Robinson was a viral sensation for her witty quips and absurd demands spread via both her own TikTok and recordings from locals and shared online.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Gabe also enjoys giving his dad shout-outs whenever an opportunity comes up, including on birthdays and holidays — sometimes with a quip thrown in.
    Emy LaCroix, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Taunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taunt. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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